Proteas Women claim last ball victory against New Zealand in first ODI

The visitors won the toss and decided to bowl first, with openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer putting on a 42-run partnership before Tumi Sekhukhune dismissed Bates in the tenth over.

Nadine de Klerk bowled out Plimmer in the 17th over, which brought top scorer Maddy Green (85) to the pitch, however, the partnership only produced 38 runs in ten overs before Ayabonga Khakha dismissed captain Amelia Kerr for 36 off 60 deliveries.

Next to fall was Brooke Halliday in the very next over after being caught by Sinalo Jafta off Chloe Tyron's bowling to leave New Zealand at 112/4 after 28 overs.

Green and Izzy Gaze (37) consolidated the innings with a 70 run partnership for the fifth wicket before the latter was caught off the bowling of Chloe Tyron.

New Zealand continued to lose wickets regularly but managed to put on a decent total of 268 after Jess Kerr was bowled out on the last ball by Khakha.

In response, South Africa had a terrible start, losing Tamsyn Brits in the first over for a duck before skipper Laura Wolvaardt was bowled by Breearne Illing to leagve tthe visitors struggling at 30/2 after six overs.

Annerie Dercksen (72) and Sune Luus (53) combined to steady the ship with a 123 run partnership for the third wicket before both batters fell in successive overs to leaee the Proteas at 154/4 after 30 overs.

Amelia Kerr got out Sinalo Jafta and Chloe Tyron as the home side slowed the run rate and seemed to take control of the match.

However, Nadine de Klerk (39) and Kayla Reyneke (42 not out) put on an impressive seventh wicket partnership to take the Proteas to 238/7 after de Klerk was caught off Rosemary Mair's bowling.

Despite Ayabonga Khakha being dismissed with her team needing 22 runs off the final two overs, debutant Reyneke held her nerve, managing to smash a six off the last ball of the innings to claim the victory and the series lead.